Heart 2 Heart Program

Heart 2 Heart (H2H) uses a holistic, community-based approach to address health inequities while preventing high blood pressure and heart disease in South Berkeley. H2H serves as bridge between community, programs, resources, and services that are neccessary to address the needs of community members. In partnership with LifeLong Medical Care, community members, and other community organizations, we provide information and resources that promote healthier living in selected Berkeley communities. This project is sponsored by Alameda County Measure A funding.

“Give me a fish and I will eat for a day. Teach me to fish and I will eat for a lifetime.”

The vision for H2H is to create a sustainable program within the identified H2H neighborhood, and to provide services and administer programs that the community has a stake in and can claim ownership of. The concept of the quote--“Give me a fish and I will eat for a day. Teach me to fish and I will eat for a lifetime”-- is truly fitting for the focus of H2H. It embodies the concept of community members becoming empowered to create positive change within their neighborhood that will have longevity and that many will benefit from.

Partnering for Health

H2H has fostered interdepartmental relationships within the City of Berkeley, as well as with community members from H2H neighborhoods, local businesses, and community based organizations. This approach is beneficial in tailoring programming that is authentic, recognizes the needs of the community, and meets community members where they are. In our efforts, we incorporate an approach that recognizes other aspects that have an impact on a person’s health and well being. Specifically, an approach that links health, economics and education – noting that if there is a deficiency or overabundance in one of these areas, inequities have the potential to increase.

Holistic Preventative Care

H2H links community members to resources and services that will help improve their health; as well as incorporate linkages to services and programs for education and economic stability. We look to integrate a holistic approach to addressing health inequities by incorporating activities that may not have an explicit health focus, but do have an indirect impact on a person’s health. We provide linkages to resources that provide services such as job skill development, financial literacy and educational programs.

H2H offers community members and collaborating organizations the opportunity and guidance to work together and design programs and classes that will support residents in preventing and managing high blood pressure and heart disease. Free blood pressure screening is also offered via the H2H Mobile Health Van on designated days of the month.